AOL Autos announced at CESthis week the creation of the Technology of the Year Award to recognize the best technological innovations in the auto industry. The winner will be announced at next year's CES.

The technology that auto companies are putting into car and trucks to make them behave like rolling smartphones is becoming the key differentiators on quality – systems like Ford's Sync and Cadillac's new Cue and Hyundai's Blue Link and even GM's well-established OnStar. Throughout the year, AOL Autos, Autoblog and Engadget will report on new systems and significant upgrades like these from automakers and suppliers at autos.aol.com/award.

Editors from AOL Autos, Autoblog and Engadget and a group of industry experts will review the new offerings and select finalists in three categories – telematics, connectivity and active safety – that will be announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show Nov. 30-Dec. 9. Then the public will be invited to vote along with the panel of editors and experts to choose the winner.

We figure we have the best people in the industry to test the systems, grade them and then communicate our findings. I love the fact that we're able to link the expertise of AOL Autos, Autoblog, Engadget and The Huffington Post into one very smart service-oriented award program and content hub for our readers. It's worth noting that we aren't all tech geeks and early adopters – some of us on the judging panel struggle with new applications and interfaces just like anybody else. Heck, I still make a daily to-do-list on an envelope and slip it into my breast pocket...